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Meet The 3 Brothers Who Created Their Own Candle Brand

Fréres Branchiaux Candle Company is a handmade body, candle, and home fragrance goods company created by brothers Collin, Ryan, and Austin Gill.

We caught up with the brothers to find out more about them and their business.

Collin, Austin and Ryan Gill

How did you decide to start this business?

We love watching Nerf videos on Youtube. We wanted to create our own Nerf was YouTube channel. We asked our mom for more money for Nerf guns (Ryan and Austin) and for PS4 games (Collin). She said “no” and told us to “get a job or start a business.” So, we decided to start a business! We also decided to give back to the community by donating 10% of our proceeds to homeless shelters in the DC Metro area.

The whole fam at big bro’s graduation.

How do you select what fragrances and designs to use?

We get samples of fragrances that we think we might like and we mix them. We usually mix 2 to 3 fragrances to create new scents. We are candle mixologists! Our mom (Celena Gill) is in control of the designs on the candles, diffusers, and room sprays. She used to do the designs when we first started but now we have a graphic designer. Our mom shows us new designs and we approve them–or reject them–to put on the products.

What part of being a business owner do you like the most? What part do you like the least?

We like making our own money and deciding how we are going to spend it. We love traveling to new places to vend and meet new people. There’s not really anything that we don’t like about being business owners.

What is it like working with your brothers?

It is fun most of the time–but it can be aggravating too. Sometimes, we want to hang with our friends and not just be around each other. Since we are homeschooled, we are around each other ALL OF THE TIME. So, every now and then, we need a break–and then we’re fine!

Do you have an adult that you are getting support from? What type of support?

Yes, we get support from our mom and dad. Mom handles all of the appointments, bills, vending, marketing, and design. Dad (Patrick Gill) is our official driver, organizes and sets up our vending tables/booths, and helps mom organize the candles for shipping and for special events.

Does each person have a different role or you all share the same responsibilities?

We have different roles and responsibilities. Collin is the CEO. He is the chief candlemaker and usually leads us during production and at events. He is our official spokesperson. Ryan is our Chief Financial Officer. He keeps track of our finances with mom, takes care of the money at events, and sets our financial goals for each show.

Austin, better known as Ace, is our Chief Marketing Officer. He wicks and cleans the candles. He is also our “face” when we go out in public–he knows how to bring customers in with his smile! We all work together to make Freres Branchiaux Candle Co. successful!